Autumn is the season of abundance, with fresh local produce available in backyards and farmers markets. But before we know it, winter arrives, and most of our “fresh” produce actually spends many days being shipped thousands of miles to our area. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could get fresh, local produce all year long? Thanks to Andrew Serio, owner of Serio Farms, that … [Read more...]
What is a fair farm rental agreement?
Landlords, farmers, agri-business professionals should make plans to attend one of the informative meetings being held across Minnesota. These free meetings are being provided by the University of Minnesota Extension. Farm land rental rates are the largest input cost the farmer has. Determining a fair farm rent agreement is a challenge in today’s economy with current low … [Read more...]
Recycling 101: They’re here!
By Drew Hatzenbihler Solid Waste Administrator The Fillmore County Resource Recovery Center just received a total of six dumpsters from Revolution Plastics for recycling agricultural and silage plastics! Before you jump in your car and head down to start recycling, take a minute to read this article and read the dumpsters when you arrive to make sure the materials you are … [Read more...]
MDA Grants available for crop improvement research Research supporting growth and sustainability favored
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting grant applications for applied crop research that promotes economic growth and environmentally sustainable practices. The MDA anticipates awarding up to $1,050,000 in February 2020 for proposals that will improve agricultural product quality, quantity, or value in Minnesota. Research projects are preferred that … [Read more...]
Keep it profitable; keep it safe
Combines are one of the largest pieces of harvest equipment and operating them safely can greatly enhance harvest efficiency. John Long, Assistant Professor & Extension Ag Engineer at Oklahoma State University Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering department, says focusing on safety during harvest can help farmers avoid bodily harm and complete harvest in a more … [Read more...]
The house that soy built: Soy-based products are on the leading edge of sustainable housing Industrial home products rise to the top with soy as a biobased alternative.
Higher performance, increased sustainability and lower cost — these are just a few of the demands that today’s modern customers expect from the home improvement industry. For companies relying on petroleum or formaldehyde in their products, this can seem like a challenging ask. But many find their sustainable solution in soy. “Choosing soy is a win-win,” said Lee Walko, … [Read more...]
Agricultural career opportunities abound
A career in agriculture can prove richly rewarding. While it's common to envision overalls and tractors when imagining careers in agriculture, the opportunities to work in the agriculture industry stretch beyond the farm and into the corporate world. The following are a few of the paths men and women with a passion for agriculture can pursue. • Business: Agriculture is big … [Read more...]
Gourds, squashes and pumpkins, oh my!
Halloween takes place during a time of year characterized by earthen-colored chrysanthemums, leaf-lined walkways and crisp autumn air. As colorful as the costumes children wear for trick-or-treating may be, nature's beauty is unsurpassed this time of year, and the scores of pumpkins, gourds and squashes on display only add to that colorful melange. The Cucurbitaceae family … [Read more...]
USDA opens 2020 enrollment for Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs Safety net program payments for 2018 have started
WASHINGTON, October 15, 2019 – Agricultural producers now can enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs – two U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) safety net programs – for the 2020 crop year. Meanwhile, producers who enrolled farms for the 2018 crop year have started receiving more than $1.5 billion for covered commodities for which … [Read more...]
Maintenance key to functioning farms
The family automobile is not the only piece of equipment that requires routine upkeep to ensure it is operating properly. Life on a farm can come to a screeching halt if farm equipment is not properly maintained. Farmers invest hundreds of thousands of dollars on agricultural equipment, such as tractors, tillers, hoppers, and dozers. Adhering to maintenance schedules can … [Read more...]